Winter Birthday Ideas!!

I know you're excited about her first birthday but she will only be one. Any party is for the adults, not really for her. I'd keep it simple and just for close family or friends and do it at home. Themes will mean nothing to her though they're fun for the adults to decorate around. Not trying to quash your enthusiasm here, but as the other poster noted -- at just barely one, many kids will be either a bit freaked at a large party in a strange place, or will quickly be so overtired they'll cry or fuss the whole time--no fun for anyone. If you want a theme, do it at home with some simple decorations and a cute cake and take a lot of photos. By the time she's four she will be wanting bigger parties and you can go all the way, but at one, I wouldn't spend the money on a party venue.

She's 1. How about at your house with close family and friends? A theme for a 1 year old is more for you than for her, so it depends on if you want to shell out the cash. Since a one year old can have some social anxiety with new places and lots of people I think keeping them in a familiar environment is best if you want a happy baby.

Your house, keep it simple with immediate family, keep it short and give baby a white cake (made with zucchini) with a simple home made cream frosting (whipping cream and sugar plus a dash of vanilla or lemon) and worry about actual bday parties when they will care/remember them.

Have it at home.
And just a tip: do not have the party, at her nap time. Otherwise, you will have a tired/over-tired/fussy and overstimulated child, at the party, and she will not have fun.
Kids this age get overstimulated easily. And tired.
Also make the party 2 hours max. By then the child will be tired etc.

www.birthdayinabox.com has GREAT themes for party things/goody bags/and sets. My friend gets things from there for her kids parties, all the time. It is GOOD quality.

Is New Mexico weather in November nice enough for an outdoor party at a local park or playground?
Parks or community centers sometimes have rooms/halls to rent. Local restaurants may "free" rooms if you are wanting to feed everyone off the menu.

Themes - keep it simple! Her favorite stuffy, Elmo, Circus or even one of the many 1st birthday girl themes from a party supply store.

We kept my daughter's simple, at Grand's house, family only, Elmo cake and let her set the pace so she didn't meltdown. Most of all - have fun and pictures!

Schedule the party either before or after your baby's nap. I have been to so many 1 yr old Birthday's around 1pm or 2pm on a Sunday and the
B-Day baby had fallen asleep in the middle of the party !

The party is all about the adults as the child does not have a clue. I had a small immediate family party w/ a Sesame Street Theme. It was fun for me to organize...

Take pictures, but, do not go overboard! I asked for bonds from relatives as my daughter liked to open drawers and play w/ plasticware.

A first birthday is all about the adults. The children have no clue.

Keep #1 simple. Make a great meal at home for your guests and have the traditional first birthday cake with lots of pictures.

The birthday child has no clue what's going on.

Enjoy while you can. They grow up WAY too fast!!

No ideas for a first birthday, but when she is a little older, she can have an ice skating party.